The Super Bowl of debates is finally over and it’s pretty clear who was victorious. Although it really depends on who you ask. The difference in expectations between these two candidates was tremendous. Clinton is expected to be poised, brilliant, trustworthy and knowledgeable while Trump just didn’t have to be too… himself. This difference is best reflected in their preparation for the debate. Clinton is and was expected to be well-prepared speaking in language she had rehearsed a thousand times while reading words written partially by her immense staff. Trump wears his lack of preparation like a badge bragging about his humility and his ability to ad-lib.
Unfortunately, his lack of preparation came back to hurt him when Clinton was able to successfully bait him into admitting she was more qualified to be president. Although not in those exact words, Clinton was able to transition from Trump bragging about his lack of preparation to how experienced and prepared she is for the office of president. A similar smooth Clinton transition happened when Trump said Clinton was too tired and lacked the temperament to be President. Clinton responded with a long list of all the things she negotiated and accomplished as Secretary of State and said Trump would be exhausted too if he was capable of doing any of the incredible things she had accomplished.
But most people did not tune in to see Clinton talk about her boring policies. This election has been all about the rise and ridiculousness of Trump and tonight did not disappoint. He claimed he never supported the Iraq War and never denied Global Warming, but his old tweets say otherwise. During the debate, the Trump staff was frantically deleting all of his old tweets back when he was appropriating birthism and denying global warming (specifically, the tweet shown above). There are conspiracy theories as to whether or not the tweet was truly deleted so we will have to remain vigilant while the rest of these Twitter politics unfold.
Trump was also baited into talking about his involvement with and creation of birthism, his refusal to rent apartments to African-Americans in the seventies, Rosie O’ Donnell, not paying his contractors and other employees, not paying his taxes, not releasing his tax returns, his total lack of experience and qualifications and his immature temperament. He bragged about abusing laws and the system to avoid paying for certain services and taxes. Almost directly admitting that he does not pay his income tax. He bragged about his involvement in birthism, specifically the ending of it, despite being the one who started it too. He bragged about how inexperienced he is because it is time for a change. And he bragged about his treatment of women, including Rosie O’ Donnell; a name I never thought I would hear in a Presidential debate.
However, through all the unpreparedness and lies this election will still be close right up to the finish. Clinton can give as many most eloquent rehearsed answers as she desires, but she will always be viewed as slightly shady and unpopular by the public. Much like how no matter what crazy thing Trump says or does next his most devoted supporters will not leave his side. What this election truly comes down to is how conservatives on the fence about whether or not Trump actually represents their values will vote.
This will be my final article for Odyssey, and I would like to thank Odyssey for providing me an outlet with which to share my opinions and views. While simultaneously providing me the opportunity to practice my writing every week. I will be writing weekly articles for The Cowl, Providence College’s official newspaper, every week now for the Arts and Entertainment section so be sure to check those out! Thank you.
